Current Status Caliciviruses Isolated from Marine Mammals and Their Relationship to Caliciviruses of Terrestrial Animals

Abstract

The current status of the Caliciviruses of marine mammals represented by San Miguel sea lion virus (SMSV) is compared to the Caliciviruses of terrestrial mammals represented by vesicular exanthema of swine virus (VESV). A review of the known distribution of SMSV antibodies in pinnipeds, cetaceans and terrestrial mammals is presented as an example of the importance of marine mammals as a reservoir of viruses for terrestrial mammals.